A Hug From Heaven

I had already read this author's book Rare Bird, about the freak accident that took the life of her then 12-year-old son. Having followed her blog and on Facebook since then, I have learned a lot about grief and the particular pain of losing a child. Most material on grief is written for adults, and many people don't know what words to use to talk to children about losing a sibling, other family member, or friend. In A Hug From Heaven, Anna Donaldson writes in a way that helps an adult explain to a child that they will experience different feelings. It's okay to feel sad and cry; they can think of and look for things that remind them of the person they are missing, and it's good for the child to talk about the person they loved and even come up with special ways to remember this special person. While it's definitely geared towards children, my own mother died this year. Her illness came on quite unexpectedly and we had only the summer with her. Even now, I'm not ready to dive into books written for adults about grief, and A Hug From Heaven was a simple and gentle reminder that she'll be with me forever.

A Hug from Heaven offers simple and clear messages of hope for children who have experienced the loss of a close loved one. Rather than focus on the loved one being in Heaven and out of sight forever, the book offers the grieving child the idea that their loved one never dies and will never leave them. Everywhere they go, for the rest of their lives, their loved one will be with them, offering love and support. There are suggestions on how the child can keep their loved one present in their lives, validating the child's need for continuing the relationship they had with the one who has died. Both adults and children will benefit from the beautiful messages of hope, so very badly needed when we lose a close family member.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Anna's book, A Hug from Heaven, is a beautifully written resource that I have already begun to use in my work as a Bereavement Coordinator in Hospice. I work with a lot of families with children who are experiencing the loss of a loved one; have Camp Fearless every summer, which is a bereavement camp for children aged 6-16; as well as running grief groups in the schools with children of all ages throughout the school year. In these roles I am always looking for resources to help these precious children in their healing journey. I consider this book to a great resource and those that I have shared it with have expressed the same sentiment.

Anna is so talented and brave. Her book is genuinely beautiful. What a balm for grieving children. Although it’s about dealing with death, the book’s message focuses on life, love and resilience. It focuses more on emotions than religion, would definitely be appropriate for people of any faith. I highly recommend A Hug From Heaven.

I'm torn about this book. I absolutely love the words. But my kids really disliked the illustrations and didn't want to read the book because of them. The illustrations are a little like Japanese anime and have a sort of exaggerated quality to them. Kids place more value on illustrations than adults do and some illustrations can even be scary to kids. Unfortunately, one or two pictures in this book of kids with strangely contorted faces disturbed my kids and they were done with it. It's so unfortunate because the words are just lovely and I wish I could buy a version with different illustrations. I've included a few pic so you can decide for yourself if your kids will be okay with the illustrations.

Unfortunately, my Mom Mom passed away this summer, while home on hospice care. My girls are young (5 & 8) and I wanted to be sure that before they attended her funeral that they had a clear understanding of what had transpired and how they are still connected with her through memories and such. It truly was a great book with a lot of positive messages. I truly feel this helped them process what happened and made them comfortable at her viewing.

Beautiful book. I wish I had a book like this one when I was 9 and lost my beloved aunt. I dressed up all my dolls, sat them on the couch and I had no idea if I’m allowed to play or smile... In simple words Anna says everything. Everything you need when you’re grieving no matter how old you are..

This book is the perfect thing to give to a grieving friend or loved one, and a beautiful and comforting sentiment for anyone dealing with loss. I bought it for my own children when friends of theirs passed away and after reading it, and have bought several more copies to give to friends suffering through that same and other tragedies. I gave a copy to the school counselor also who agreed it was a wonderful resource for people of any faith and said she'd be using it with students.

After losing our son three years ago, this is the first book that I truly love. It is so well written, simple, and honest. It says everything I would have written myself. I bought one for my kids (and myself) and another for a couple who also lost their son recently. It is a book that is perfect for any type of loss - a parent, a child, a sibling, anyone.

This book was sweet. I had the hardest time finding a theologically correct book for kids about death- (ex. Grandma doesn't become your angel when she dies. Angels are different beings than humans. Humans can go to heaven but don't become angels). Anyways, nothing theologically weird with this book. I got it for my 3.5 year old because we lost my 56 year old mom unexpectedly. I haven't read this book to my daughter yet, but I pull it out for me when I need a little comfort. I recommend this book for any one of any age. It comforts me as a 30 year old woman, and know it would comfort kids too. It's not geared toward a specific type of loss, so it's appropriate no matter who has passed (grandparent, friend, sibling, etc).

I had already read this author's book Rare Bird, about the freak accident that took the life of her then 12-year-old son. Having followed her blog and on Facebook since then, I have learned a lot about grief and the particular pain of losing a child. Most material on grief is written for adults, and many people don't know what words to use to talk to children about losing a sibling, other family member, or friend. In A Hug From Heaven, Anna Donaldson writes in a way that helps an adult explain to a child that they will experience different feelings. It's okay to feel sad and cry; they can think of and look for things that remind them of the person they are missing, and it's good for the child to talk about the person they loved and even come up with special ways to remember this special person. While it's definitely geared towards children, my own mother died this year. Her illness came on quite unexpectedly and we had only the summer with her. Even now, I'm not ready to dive into books written for adults about grief, and A Hug From Heaven was a simple and gentle reminder that she'll be with me forever.

A Hug from Heaven offers simple and clear messages of hope for children who have experienced the loss of a close loved one. Rather than focus on the loved one being in Heaven and out of sight forever, the book offers the grieving child the idea that their loved one never dies and will never leave them. Everywhere they go, for the rest of their lives, their loved one will be with them, offering love and support. There are suggestions on how the child can keep their loved one present in their lives, validating the child's need for continuing the relationship they had with the one who has died. Both adults and children will benefit from the beautiful messages of hope, so very badly needed when we lose a close family member.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Anna's book, A Hug from Heaven, is a beautifully written resource that I have already begun to use in my work as a Bereavement Coordinator in Hospice. I work with a lot of families with children who are experiencing the loss of a loved one; have Camp Fearless every summer, which is a bereavement camp for children aged 6-16; as well as running grief groups in the schools with children of all ages throughout the school year. In these roles I am always looking for resources to help these precious children in their healing journey. I consider this book to a great resource and those that I have shared it with have expressed the same sentiment.

Anna is so talented and brave. Her book is genuinely beautiful. What a balm for grieving children. Although it’s about dealing with death, the book’s message focuses on life, love and resilience. It focuses more on emotions than religion, would definitely be appropriate for people of any faith. I highly recommend A Hug From Heaven.

I'm torn about this book. I absolutely love the words. But my kids really disliked the illustrations and didn't want to read the book because of them. The illustrations are a little like Japanese anime and have a sort of exaggerated quality to them. Kids place more value on illustrations than adults do and some illustrations can even be scary to kids. Unfortunately, one or two pictures in this book of kids with strangely contorted faces disturbed my kids and they were done with it. It's so unfortunate because the words are just lovely and I wish I could buy a version with different illustrations. I've included a few pic so you can decide for yourself if your kids will be okay with the illustrations.

Unfortunately, my Mom Mom passed away this summer, while home on hospice care. My girls are young (5 & 8) and I wanted to be sure that before they attended her funeral that they had a clear understanding of what had transpired and how they are still connected with her through memories and such. It truly was a great book with a lot of positive messages. I truly feel this helped them process what happened and made them comfortable at her viewing.

Beautiful book. I wish I had a book like this one when I was 9 and lost my beloved aunt. I dressed up all my dolls, sat them on the couch and I had no idea if I’m allowed to play or smile... In simple words Anna says everything. Everything you need when you’re grieving no matter how old you are..

This book is the perfect thing to give to a grieving friend or loved one, and a beautiful and comforting sentiment for anyone dealing with loss. I bought it for my own children when friends of theirs passed away and after reading it, and have bought several more copies to give to friends suffering through that same and other tragedies. I gave a copy to the school counselor also who agreed it was a wonderful resource for people of any faith and said she'd be using it with students.

After losing our son three years ago, this is the first book that I truly love. It is so well written, simple, and honest. It says everything I would have written myself. I bought one for my kids (and myself) and another for a couple who also lost their son recently. It is a book that is perfect for any type of loss - a parent, a child, a sibling, anyone.

This book was sweet. I had the hardest time finding a theologically correct book for kids about death- (ex. Grandma doesn't become your angel when she dies. Angels are different beings than humans. Humans can go to heaven but don't become angels). Anyways, nothing theologically weird with this book. I got it for my 3.5 year old because we lost my 56 year old mom unexpectedly. I haven't read this book to my daughter yet, but I pull it out for me when I need a little comfort. I recommend this book for any one of any age. It comforts me as a 30 year old woman, and know it would comfort kids too. It's not geared toward a specific type of loss, so it's appropriate no matter who has passed (grandparent, friend, sibling, etc).

I have read Anna's blog for years and admired her candid, poignant writing about grief. My father died in 2018 and my 8 year old daughter has very recently begin to realize that he is not coming back. It has been hard for her to process and I hoped this book would read her confort. The beautiful words and illustrations brought me comfort too. Grief feels lonely sometimes and I felt that other people know how I feel. What a feeling. My daughter asked to read the book 3 times and she told me she thought her Papa would give her a hug from Heaven soon.

This is a really beautiful book. When my dad died, and my kids were struggling to express their feelings and confusion and misunderstanding about why their best buddy Papa passed suddenly, this book was as much a comfort to them as it was to me. I don’t think it matters how old you are, when your dad dies you suddenly feel like a lost little kid again. This book helped me at 33, and helped my kids as well. I never would have thought that a butterfly pestering me might actually be my dad checking up on us and his way of hugging us from Heaven but now I appreciate those little things. Thank you for writing this book.

I purchased this beautiful book to tell my 4 and 5 year old grandsons about the passing of their beloved grandfather. It was perfect In the moment and they have asked for it to be read again several times since then. I’ve shared it with friends experiencing loss with young children. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book Anna and giving me such a valuable and special tool to help the people I love and friends going through the same difficult times. Your book provides a light in the darkness just like rare bird and I highly recommend it.

I purchased this for my 8 year old daughter after she tragically lost her older brother. It is perfect. It puts into words all the thoughts we have had in our head and is a book that we will read again and again. It had brought her peace and comfort, but also let her know that it is normal to be sad or angry at times. I can not speak highly enough about it. Thank you for writing such a perfect book 💙

Beautiful book. Was hoping it would be a little more simpler. But it’s a good book. Brought a tear to my eye while reading it too my son. Got it for him cause his dad passed away, also for his half sister one for Xmas as well.

This book is sweet and although designed for children, adults will get much out of it as well. After the loss of a loving aunt, my 3 children and I found so much comfort snuggling and reading this together. It does bring on some tears, but we found that the tears were going to come anyways, and it felt good to cry while sharing the experience of the book. I have also gifted a copy to friends experiencing loss. They loved it.

I’m sad to say I’ve purchased this book multiple times for grieving friends, BUT, I’m thankful that this book exists so parents can help their grieving children. Thanks you for writing this!!

I bought this book as a gift. I absolutely loved the text and the pictures. It was so sweet and tender. I prayed for the person before I sent it. She had lost her older brother. I feel this book can be given to any age group. The girl I sent it to was 20, however when I lost my own brother at 44, I felt like a little kid all over again. This book was touching and I think it will help a lot of people.

Bought this for a friend’s family after reading the wonderful reviews. Having lost their father/grandfather/father-in-law, this book helped them through their grieving process

This book had as all crying happy bittersweet tears. As a family who has suffered child loss it was comforting to us. And most definitely a special book to share with those who are grieving. This is our go to gift for families who sadly join this club, especially if they have other children.

Anna's special gift of providing comfort to hurting hearts has found its way into a book for children. It has become a Coffee Table book in our home as the grandchildren have pulled it off the book shelf a time too many. Grief rises in every stage of emotional growth and development and the Little Ones (4, 4, 6 and 8) have so many questions. A Hug From Heaven provides answers in a manner that swaddles their hearts as they gain a better understanding of their feelings. A valuable grief resource.

This book does an excellent job delivering the message: love is stronger than death. While my dad, my children's grandpa, was in Hospice, I was trying to find a book to read to my children to give them some comfort. This book also helped comfort my husband and myself. I will be ordering additional copies for my mother and my sibling's families. I highly recommend this book!

A Hug From Heaven is a beautiful message of love and hope for anyone who has lost a loved one. It's been five years since I lost my son, and everything about Anna's book touches my heart. It speaks such truth to the raw emotions we all feel at different times during our grief journey. I purchased my own copy, but will definitely be purchasing more to share with others who have experienced a deep loss. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

By far one of the most comforting and uplifting books, as an adult and for my kids. Absolutely would recommend, it touches on the full range of emotions and tells how it’s okay to feel a myriad of emotions and how it’ll get better

Wow! I’ve lost both parents and this book is amazing! I got it for my kids bc my Mom who lived with us just passed away. It sums up grief and the feelings that come so perfectly. I cried through the whole book...three times already.

I bought this for my children when my mother passed away from cancer quite suddenly. I’m glad I chose this book to help them understand how to cope and remember her. It has been a blessing to all of us.

What a beautiful book. I bought it for a friend and cried the whole way through - tears of hopefulness more than sadness. It is very touching and beautifully written.

This healing book is beautifully written for children, yet will be a source of comfort for everyone who opens it. Anna Whiston-Donaldson has taken her unimaginable personal pain of losing a child and turned it into working to help others, who have lost a loved one, heal and find peace on their grief journey.

Can’t say enough good things about this book. Beautifully written and illustrated. I highly recommend! This book not only benefits the kiddos but will help adults find ways to comfort their littles too.

This book is incredibly beautiful and helpful for children and adults.

Great Item

Wonderful book about grief. All three of my boys have enjoyed the message of Hugs from Heaven. The author validates complicated feelings. She reminds us that relationships and love never end. All while reassuring the reader that moving forward doesn't mean leaving your loved one behind. I definitely recommend this book.

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. Sadly, many children experience grief from the death of a loved one and this book is a wonderful resource. It doesn’t pander. It acknowledges the pain of grief. But “a hug from heaven” also offers hope, and provides a wonderful message to children that love never dies.

Bought it twice for grandkids. Loss my son and the kids cry daily for him. So i seen this and it brought comfort.

This book was excellent! It helped my 6 year old nephew identify his emotions he was feeling for the loss of his uncle. But it also helps adults because his mother was able to identify her emotions and feelings that she was experiencing herself.

This book is poignant, meaningful and unlike other grief related books for kids. Anna has written a gift of a book, for children, families and therapists alike.

Wonderful work with beautiful language. Age-appropriate for young children.

Bought this for my 3 kids after my husband suddenly passed. It is just great.

Such an amazing book, I adopted my niece and got this book for her about her parents that passed and she just loves it!! Relieves that feeling of missing her parents without feeling sad!! 10/10

I gave this book to a friend's children - their dad (her husband) died a few years ago and this book was so beautiful in describing how he is always with them. It even talked about heart shaped rocks, which was a special thing they had been on the lookout for since he died. Very well worded and thoughtful and beautiful illustrations.

I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review. A Hug From Heaven is a very touching and heartfelt book that will help many grieving children cope and feel more connected to the person they lost. The soothing illustrations and descriptions give readers hope. A very special book to read with loved ones!

This book is a perfect aid to explaining loss and heaven to a childnof any age. For an adult it's a reminder that we can still feel the warmth of those who are gone. Beautifully written.

Beautifully written with a wonderful message for anyone, child or adult, dealing with grief.

This book is a gem. It's heartfelt and helpful plus it's beautifully written and drawn. I'm not religious but it still felt like a comfort. I would highly recommend this book for families who have lost a loved one.

Bought for my daughter. We lost her brother 4 years ago. This book is precious

Great grief book for kids and the kid in you

Anna has done it again. Through her masterful writing, she gives us a picture book on grief that is heartfelt and personal. Her love and perseverance shine in this beautifully written and illustrated book. Thank you, Anna! Jack is surely smiling down on you, and with you everywhere! 💙

Cute book. Received today at it’s already breaking at the seams/binding.

A helpful hug no matter how old you are or how old your loss is. Stock up to buy it for others, but be blessed yourself!

An honest and simple way to make something so abstract feel real, even for adults. Beautifully written!

A beautifully written book for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. The story honors the pain of grief while also reminding the reader that their loved one will always be with them.

This book is the simple love that is so needed to communicate the love that still surrounds your child after loss.

A perfect book for children learning how to grieve. A very positive message that encourages little ones to look up and find hope. I bought it to share with some special little ones in my life. Anna is a very gifted writer.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. It's a very well done, thoughtful and sweet book for grieving children.

Absolutely love this book. Have purchased multiple to give out to hurting young hearts. Best book I have found that speaks what I have found to be so true.

An absolutely perfect book for my sons who will never know their sister. Is a great reminder for parents as well. Thank you so much!

Thanks, Anna for sharing your sweet message in a way families in pain can relate to. I am saddened that your son Jack's horrible accident is the source of your inspiration, but so appreciate how you have used your pain to help so many other parents, grandparents, siblings and others cope with loss of a loved one. When my son with autism and I read this book together I hoped it would comfort him about the loss of his nana, his grandfather and his uncle. But those were not the people he mentioned as we turned the pages reading the words on each page, illustrated with simple, charming drawings and lots of white space: “Like it hurt Michael’s heart when he went to heaven,” he said. Michael is a classmate of his, now in heaven. My son was there the day of Michael's shocking death and, altho he can't tell me about it , reliably, due to his lack of expressive language, I think he witnessed the accidental choking, the chaos, the EMTs trying to revive his friend, the panic of the teachers unable "to wake him up" the confusion of the other children all who have severe disabilities. It is always a tragedy when a child dies, a shock, inexplicable. This is a comforting book for children including those with special needs—and their parents as well--to help us come to terms with death and the sad reality that death is not just for old people. All of us, can benefit from the assurance our loved ones are still with us, all around us in spirit and that we're all going to the same place --or "way up high in the sky" as my son describes heaven--one day. The illustrations are sweet. We just saw a huge rainbow on a flight above the rain clouds coming home from Maine where we stay in his Nana's house even tho she is in heaven—this book reminds us his Nana was with us on that plane, heaven is all around us. My daughter is in college in NYC—thanks to one of the illustrations, now I want to take him to the top of Statue of Liberty 🗽 . He's like Gilbert Grape's little brother, he loves to climb to the highest point of things... I see how this is a way to be closer to his Nana “way up high in the sky” tho it will be stressful for me to figure out how to do this w/ long waits in line... this book has inspired me to figure out a way as I think it would be something special for him, a good memory of a time shared with his mom after i'm gone ... the washington mounument too. What have I been waiting for? And while I'm dreaming, why not the Eiffel Tower too? simple or extravagant... the memories we make are all we have in the end.

I’ve followed Anna for years. I’ve “knew” her before Jack died, so experiencing her family’s loss in real time was horrifying and devastating. As a community we railed against the unfairness. We shook our fists at God, but Anna never did. She walked through the valley of the shadow of death with such heartfelt grace. It was an amazing, humbling, and truly life changing experience for me. Anna said once, right after Jack died, “I’m your worst nightmare.” and she was right. None of us wanted to imagine being in her place. But Anna refused to lose Jack in vain. She took that horrific experience and she learned from it, and in so doing, taught all of us the power of God’s Grace. A Hug From Heaven will literally be a Godsend for a child who has experienced a loss. Anna approached this book with the same sober reverence she gives to anything in the child-loss community. I hope you never need this book, but I’m so glad it’s here if you ever do.

A Hug from Heaven takes a difficult topic, the loss of a loved one, and offers compassion and reassurance to children and adults alike. One part in particular struck me: "Other times you may giggle and stifle a laugh and think to yourself, 'Is this the right path?' Growing up happy, courageous and kind does not mean you have left me behind." I think even adults need this reminder from time to time. We understand tears and sadness as grief, but sometimes have trouble remembering that joy and grief can go together. The book also touches on ways to remember someone, and ways to still feel them with you. The crux of the book is the emphasis on the fact that gone from earth does not really mean gone forever- the person lives in your heart and mind and memories. Love remains. A beautiful, beautiful message. I will be buying a copy of this book for myself and for sharing with (future) grandchildren! I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are 100 percent my own.

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book, and not just for kids! The message here is for everyone- love is eternal and lives on forever. I gave this book to a friend who lost her nephew, and will continue to share Anna’s eloquent, kind and heartfelt words with those who have lost someone they love. I especially appreciated her message about it being ok to have good days too - “Growing up happy, courageous and kind does not mean you have left me behind." For adults, “growing up” could be interpreted more like “going on”. Anna’s first hand experiences with grief add both authenticity and credibility, and while she can’t take away the pain, she helps the reader to feel understood, validated and most importantly, loved.

Anna Donaldson has a gift. She has helped herself and others navigate the painful path of grieving the loss of a precious child through her other books and blog. She has now aimed her talents to help children experiencing grief. It is hard to know what kids will or will not understand after a loved one dies. Their changing emotions and possible limited understanding can feel scary. This book, in a gentle and loving way, can open the door for discussions with children of all ages. It is a sweet book with beautiful pictures that will help answer questions and relieve some of the fear children may have after a loss. I was provided an advanced copy of the book for my honest review, and I honestly recommend this book for any child (or even young adult) who is grieving.

This book is beautifully written by a mama who lost her son in a tragic accident, leaving his 10 year old sister with few resources to help her grieve, especially since her parents were bereft as well. Anna’s first book, Rare Bird, is a beautiful, painful story about her sweet boy, Jack and their loss of him, for young adults and adults. This sweet, comforting book is good for anyone. The poetry softens the pain of the sad words, and the topics brought up are great conversation starters for and from children. It can be read over and over to comfort as young children try to maneuver their way through grieving, and their parents will be comforted as they read. This is a needed book in our libraries and bookstores and on our bookshelves. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and I am happy to give it.💕

As a bereaved parent, I can testify that books for children on grief are hard to find, and I'm so happy this book is out there! Its refreshing, yet beautiful prose gives hope and healing to children who grieve. The illustrations are beautiful, and the reassurance that love never dies is something we all need to be reminded of. This book contains what all those who grieve need most: validation. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have been following Anna Whiston-Donaldson since my son died just 5 days after his 16th birthday. Her book, RARE BIRD, has been a balm to me over the past 2 years, so when I heard that she was writing a children's book on grief I knew I had to get it for myself. When you are grieving the loss of a loved one there are very, very few books available that give voice to your feelings in a way that actually feels authentic and tangible. A HUG FROM HEAVEN is the real deal. The thoughtfully chosen words echo the deepest, truest feelings and desires to connect with the person you have lost. In simple but profound language, Anna is able to express the ache of a grieving person (adult OR child) but also give comfort and hope in the middle of it all. The illustrations are just as moving as the narrative, and the one that personally brought me to tears was the illustration of high school graduation, a moment I'll never get to experience with my son. I highly recommend this book for any age, to keep for yourself (if you, too, are grieving) or to give as a gift to a grieving child, parent or family. And along with A HUG FROM HEAVEN, give them your own hugs, too. (I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)

This beautiful book will undoubtedly become one of those children's classics, like Love You Forever and Good Night Moon, that every child is inevitably gifted. But the true beauty of A Hug From Heaven is that it is a precious reminder for ALL ages. Its stunning watercolor illustrations make Anna Whiston-Donaldson's words even more poignant. It's a book about grief and learning how to continue to live life well after a loved one's death: a message of hope we all can appreciate at any age or season of our lives. We presented A Hug from Heaven to a 60-some-year-old woman who lost her 46-year-old daughter to cancer nearly one year ago. My eight-year-old daughter sat beside this brave woman and read the book to her. Both were crying by the end of the book, but those were healthy, healing tears that led to important conversations about the special person we lost. We were able to talk about the good times and laugh at some fantastic stories. Anna has taken an unimaginable tragedy and made something beautiful from it. She understands grief, walking through it daily with the loss of her mother and years later her son. Now she also holds the hands of so many others as they, too, survive losses. Just like her first book, Rare Bird, I will keep multiple copies of A Hug from Heaven on hand for the next person in our community who needs it. Death is inevitable, but Anna's words help us navigate our grief as she reminds us that "love never dies."

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. However, I have also purchased a copy because this is book I definitely want to share with my children. I was first introduced to Anna's writing through her book "Rare Bird" and I was instantly hooked. Anna is honest and delightful. She invites her readers in with open arms and generous comfort. This book is a warm and gentle reminder to children and adults that love never dies and the love we give to one another goes on and on. So far I have only purchased one copy for myself but I am betting that I will be purchasing more to give away just like I did with Anna's first book. This is a beautiful gift!

I had just finished re-reading Rare Bird to gift to a friend who just recently lost her 22 year old son, when I received an advance copy of A Hug From Heaven. As I posted on Anna's website, An Inch of Gray, A Hug From Heaven is a book that I needed five years ago when my niece and nephew (then 7 and 11) lost their father unexpectedly. There is so much that goes on around the death of a loved one and it is often difficult to center on the children, aside from offering love and tending to needs. However, the complexity of death is so difficult for them to understand and it is unhinging for everyone. As I read this book (over and over), I recognized that it not only would be such a comfort to my niece and nephew, but it was a comfort to me. There are so many things - even five years later - that make you pause and remind you on the one you love and I felt that this book really put it down in a way that was not scary or sad, but truly comforting. Even though they are 13 and 17 now, and I received an advance copy in exchange for my honest review, I am getting a copy for them - because that loss is still there. And I'm grateful for Anna for writing this book as now I will have something to share with other kids who are confronted with a loss and be able to provide a resource that I wish we had when we needed it.

This book is a thoughtful and endearing message to children about loved ones who have passed away. It was a perfect book for my family to read to my young nephews on the loss of their mother. And it helped all of us work through our grief and understand how to better explain to children something that is hard to understand as adults. I highly recommend this book!!

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Prior to my daughter (who is currently 4) being born, we had lost our son. We have spoken several times about her brother and where he is and why she can't see him. I wish we had this book when we started having those talks! We sat down one night and read it and she kept relating it to her brother Andrew in Heaven. This will be a book we keep on hand to get us through the difficult times and losses and honestly a book I will keep an extra copy of in the closet for when other families experience loss and need help relating it to their children. Well done Anna! Thank you for making navigating grief just a little easier.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I requested this advanced copy as I had a dear friend who lost a child. Anna reached out and helped me get an advanced copy to the struggling siblings. The siblings have really connected the messages and themes in the book. The perspective in which it is written from is VERY helpful in helping kids understand and digest the idea of death. As a social worker who specializes in bereavement and children, it is common that children can not understand the permanency of death or even begin to know how to discuss it or what questions to ask. A gem such as this opens the door for necessary conversation with a parent or special loved one to ask questions and talk about the special person who died. This book is a true treasure in helping children and youth move forward in the grief journey.

I lost a daughter shortly before this author lost her son, and her blog has helped me manage my grief. Her book is a thoughtful way to help someone, especially a child, deal with loss. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review but would have recommended it at any rate. You won't regret buying it. The illustrations are comforting, as are the words.

Anna's gentle, insightful words are spot-on for younger kids trying to make sense of the death of a loved one. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful, and the words cover so many unspoken thoughts children have after losing someone they loved. We recommend this book to participants in Willow Creek's grief workshop. It's a gem that fills a need beautifully in the grief market. Thanks, Anna. You continue to be a good steward of Jack's life and death.

This book is so AMAZING! I wish this book would have been around when my boys lost both their Grandfathers, as it would have given them comfort. Ana does a fantastic job with this book. Thanks Ana for filling a need in the children's book world that helps with death & grief! A+++++++. I will be ordering these for my grandchildren! I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Anna writes beautifully on her blog and in her first book, Rare Bird. This children's book is no exception. My children lost their sister as an infant and this was a beautiful way to talk with them about their feelings surrounding their loss. Highly recommend for any family dealing with any type of loss.

Navigating the the loss of a loved one is a difficult journey for anyone, perhaps even more so for a child. In her new book, A Hug From Heaven, author Anna Whiston-Donaldson tenderly provides the comfort and conversation starters needed to guide children who are struggling with questions about grief and loss. Beautifully written and illustrated, this book provides an enduring message of hope that our loved ones are still with us and always will be, because love never dies. I have been following Anna's blog, An Inch of Gray, since the loss of her 12-year old son Jack, and just recently finished her bestselling book, Rare Bird. I too am a believer in signs and "coincidences," those hugs from heaven that God puts in our path and doesn't want us to miss. I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review, which it is my honor to give. I hope that A Hug From Heaven finds its way into the hands of all those who will find comfort in its message.

This book is so hopeful! Anna’s book is special because it gives kids space to acknowledge and feel all of their feelings as they grieve, not just sadness. She recognizes that as time passes, love remains, and reminds kids that it’s okay and normal to feel happiness and hopefulness without diminishing their love for those who have passed. It doesn’t talk down to children, and recognizes and respects the complexity of their emotions. There aren’t a lot of good options for grieving kids. This book was very much needed, and would be a great addition to the library of any therapist, grief counselor, child life specialist, or clergy. Buy one to keep and one to give away.

I received an advance copy of Anna's book in exchange for an honest review. I have recently lost my 12 year old daughter and have been looking for books for myself, my son and my charity for bereaved children. This book is gentle and comforting and renews hope that our loved one is still with us. I know it is a children's book....but my heart was deeply touched.

I was lucky to see a video of Anna reading this book and I can't wait to get a copy! My favorite part about this book is the permission for kids to grieve in a way that feels right to them - talk about the person who died, cry, ask questions, create traditions - so many wonderful ideas!

I LOVE this book! As a former gifted and talented teacher, and parent of two kids, I highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with loss. There are so many gems I hardly know where to start. First, it is a hopeful book. You feel the warmth and comfort. Second, it doesn't gloss over the hard stuff...it's real and does an incredible job of capturing the various feelings of grief (not just the words, but the way it can be experienced in the body). Third, the illustrations are stunning and represent a diverse group of people and types of relationships. Fourth, it helps you feel the continued connection to the loved one who is no longer here. Fifth, it is helpful for a variety of ages (including grownups)! Get a few of these books because you will be gifting them!

I received an advance copy of “A Hug From Heaven” in exchange for my honest review. I first discovered Anna and her trademark candor and warmth through her blog, An Inch of Gray, and then her book Rare Bird, which she wrote about the first year after the death of her son Jack. I’ve turned to her writings to help better understand grief myself, and A Hug From Heaven will undoubtedly do the same for grieving children. Its prose and illustrations will invite children in, and its message that love never dies will be a comfort.

I sure wish this book had been available when my children lost their father ! This book is an excellant read for both children and adults. It hits upon many topics that grieving children and adults can relate too. Is it o.k. to be happy and laugh? What do I do with my sad feelings? I would highly reccomend this book This would be a great book to give to a grieving family and would also be a book I wish every school counselor ( especially elementary school) had in their office. i received an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was so beautifully written it literally took my breath away. It's not only beautiful but it feels like a warm hug. I'm a child development specialist and teacher and would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for comfort after the loss of a loved one. I can't say enough about it....just loved it!!!

With its gentle words and beautiful images, A Hug From Heaven is an embrace in itself for children who have lost a loved one. I wish I had the money to buy this in bulk for schools and hospitals, but instead I'll recommend it highly and hope it makes its way into the hands of children who need it. Thank you for this gift, Anna.

I was very privileged to receive an advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. I could hardly wait to share my thoughts on this book. This is a beautifully illustrated book with soft and tender words. Anna Encourages us to cry, laugh and thrive. And reminds us that love never dies. This book will be a great way to start those difficult conversations with children, around the painful topic of death. This book would make a lovely gift for anyone who has experienced a loss.

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I was a teenager when I lost my brother. My parents didn’t know how to express their own grief let alone understand how to help me process mine. I loved the way Anna allowed for exploration of any and all feelings along the way. Parents sharing this book with grieving siblings will have a way to keep the conversation flowing, or more importantly getvit started.

This author is a fabulous writer and knows just how to reach grieving adults and children through her words. This book is perfect for a grieving child. Very special.

I pre-ordered several copies - one for our family, to help my daughter (and, truthfully, my husband and me) process the death of her grandmother, our dog, and in the near future, her great-grandparents. I got three extra copies to give away as needed, and in just two weeks I've already given away two of the books to families who have experienced loss. This book is a comfort to read and to have on-hand to provide comfort to others, when there is little else that can be done.

Anna’s words are a comfort to mourners of any age. This is the perfect book to read to a grieving child, but the adult reading to them will have their heart strings pulled, too. Anna validates the feelings that accompany loss. She reminds us that while time passes, and life goes on, the love we’ve shared never dies. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and I’m so honored to give it.

I've been following Anna's blog since right after she lost her son. I was amazed by her strength & honesty after losing a child. I recommended our local small town library to purchase "Rare Bird" & they did. I will be suggesting they also purchase "A Hug from Heaven." It is great to know that there is a book out there for loss of a loved one that younger people can relate to. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review....& I believe that this book will be beneficial to those who are struggling with loss. Thank you Anna! xo

I received an advanced copy for an honest review. This book was a blessing for us. We received an advance copy just at the right moment. For the past year, I've been on the hunt for books to explain death to my 7 yr old daughter, since we knew the unpreventable will happen soon with my ailing father. A week before this was released to me, my 91 yr old father passed away. 24 hours later, we lost our 13 year old dog to cancer. Talk about a double whammy. My daughter and I read it together. It hits upon many topics that grieving children and adults can relate too. This book gave us a chance to talk about being sad, happy and laugh all within a moment’s time. As we grieve, we will look around for the Hugs from heaven. Thank you Anna, your book has been a life saver for me during this tough times. A very beautiful book for the hurting hearts.

I am a grade 1 teacher and I am always on the hunt for books that deal with difficult situations at a child's level. Grief is such a difficult thing for anyone to deal with but I think magnified in children because they don't have the life experience to fully understand it. This book addresses loss in such a way that children can understand ways to connect with someone even after they have passed. My favourite line in the book is "Sing on my birthday, look at photos in frames, Ask questions about me, just say my name." Remembering someone who is gone is the best way to keep their memory alive. Our school librarian will be adding this book to our collection. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The compassion and honesty with which this book was written is evident on every page. The author's voice of understanding makes it a soft and safe space for kids (and adults) to find the assurance and encouragement that their loved ones are still with them. To look for and find their "hugs" in all kinds of ways. A beautiful book for hurting hearts of all ages. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh how I love this book! It's amazing that a book about something so scary like how a child deals with grief can bring a smile to your heart. Grief is so complicated & almost always different for everyone. So to be able to find the words to help explain what grief will look like or feel like to little ones is so beautiful. And this book doesn't just speak to kids, it reminds us all that love never dies.

This book is well written and appropriate for all ages. It is honest and very relatable; the comforting messages apply to the death of anyone. The sentiments and illustrations are inclusive. I appreciate that different human beings (vs. animals) are depicted; I think that's important. (I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Beautifully written by a woman that has experienced the greatest of losses. I have followed Anna's blog for quite some time and listened to her read this book a while back. I purchased it for young children that recently lost their mom. Of course not a replacement for a loving mother but I hope it will help them to remember her and also always know that she is with them.

Anna's book is sincere, hopeful, honest and offers a way to talk to children (AND adults) about grief. The illustrations are beautiful and thoughtful. I wish I had had the book to share with my daughter's friends and young family members after her death. I've read Rare Bird and Anna's blog, and I'm so glad she wrote this Hug from Heaven. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

So so helpful for all who have lost loved ones too soon and feel lost at sea.

This is a beautiful book with words that so precisely describe what any family is feeling after loss. It's amazing that Anna can put into words the feelings in our hearts. I bought it for the children, but really, the words ring true to me reach time I read it. This book would be a precious gift to any family who has lost someone close. It is a treasure!

This book took my breath away. For years, I have looked for a book that expresses what living with grief can feel like and this is it! This book relays that love never dies, that it is okay to hurt, how to cope and also where to look for signs. It is hopeful, true and honest. I was honored to receive an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, I have been a fan of Anna's for years. This book is a must have for every home and classroom library.

This book A hug from Heaven by Anna Whiston-Donaldson is must read for all children who are grieving. Children are sometime forgotten, and not being able to express themself when it comes death. I love this book because Anna writes it to their level. My daughter died leaving five young children. I shared this book with the two youngest. After we read it we talk about it. We talked about how much their mommy loved them and she would be there always hugging them all through their life. And we talk about all the other emotions. I also recommend this book to programs that are there to help grieving children.

This is a beautiful book for children who have experienced loss. It’s such a beautiful illustration of how our loved ones stay with us even as we move on in our lives.

This book is truly beautiful in words and images. I had the opportunity to preview the book in exchange for an honest review, but I'm also ordering two copies. One to give to the children of a dear friend whose son passed away and the other to have on hand and on-the-ready should anyone else in my life need it. I especially like how it acknowledges that the grieving child (or anyone) may feel bad about continuing to live their own life and encourages the person to know their loved one is with them and wants them to have love and happiness.

This is a story that really understands the mind and feelings of a child who has lost a loved one. It has humor and love and speaks with wisdom in a way that children will relate to. The artwork is amazing too!

I received an advance copy of this book for an unbiased review online. I have a granddaughter who lost her Mama to suicide. I wish that somehow an acknowledgement of death by suicide could have been included to encourage empathy for mental illness, and to help get rid of the stigma. Still a comforting book.

Anna does such a great job in helping a child (or adult) through the grieving process!!! Her books have helped my family so much!!! If you know of anyone experiencing grief, PLEASE get them this book! It give such HOPE! I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so thankful!!! Great book!!!!

A Hug from Heaven was on the table in the family room waiting for me to give it to a family when they needed it. My daughter came in and said, “May I have that? I know a 5 year old that needs it!” So now I will buy another copy to keep on hand for the next person we know that needs it. Thank you Anna for the ministry of hope and comfort.

The sweet and rhyming words of this book provide comfort to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. Children and adults alike will feel understood and grateful for Anna's ability to put words to feelings. The illustrations are beautiful and inviting. This book was written for children, but is a gentle hug for all ages.

This is really a book for all ages, to help those through the grieving process. I love this book. It made me cry and feel better at the same time!

"I received an advance copy of A Hug from Heaven in exchange for my honest review . When i was 14 my father was killed. I was told talking about him would upset my mother. This book would have been such a comfort to me then. It carries a gentle invitation to enter the sacred space of grief and healing. I will definitely use it as a resource in my practice. Betty O. Graves LCSW

I bought this book when it was first published for a boy who lost both of his grandmothers within the same week. Now I’m buying it for an adult friend who has lost both of her parents within the last year. It is a special book written by a very special person that helps anyone at any age deal with significant loss.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Tenderly written for a child's heart, A Hug From Heaven is a thoughtful book that would be reassuring to anyone - regardless of age - who grieves the loss of a loved one. The touching illustrations aptly complement the words. And the words, especialy when read aloud, are simply beautiful.

This is a just right book on the topic of grief. Clearly written from a knowledge perspective, it effectively gives the reader the hug and hope while acknowledging the pain of grief. It doesn’t sugar coat the longing for those we have lost but also guides back to the living. A beautiful brief read for all who would like another hug.

A Hug from Heaven is the best children's book I've ever read about grieving. I'm a preschool teacher at a church, and we have a collection of books on the topic. I haven't found any that are anywhere near this good. I like that the book talks about all the different feelings they may have and gives them permission to feel that way. It is a very comforting book.

I lost my dad when I was ten and this book would have been a great tool for someone to read to me and my siblings. The illustrations are wonderful and it is beautifully written with a positive message. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Anna wrote such an beautiful story to help children (and adults) with their journey through grief. What an amazing way to feel connected with loved ones you have lost. The illustrations are simply lovely. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have purchased this book for several families grieving over losses. I think that it speaks plainly to children about loss and how those that we lose are still there.

I bought this book for my goddaughter. Her mother my sister passed away May 10 which Falls on Mother’s Day this year. This was such a beautiful and meaning book. When she receives it she read it to me and we both had a good cry.

This is the perfect gift for anyone who has lost a loved one. Young or old, we all need the comfort and reassurance that this beautiful book offers.

Anna has done it again with her most recent book, "A Hug From Heaven" beautifully written beautifully illustrrated.

I am a therapist and have already shared this book with one of my teen clients who had a very significant loss. I love the way the book touches on all the feelings, even hits on the ones that are hard to describe. The pictures are perfect, reminding us that EVERYONE grieves.

Beautiful children's book for a grieving child (or any age). Adorable illustrations.

I highly recommend A Hug From Heaven, for bereaved children 1-101 years old! Beautifully written and expressed!

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is beautifully written and illustrated, and treats this topic with such tenderness and honesty. Kids will really be able to relate to the words, and yet it can be just as deeply felt by adults. Five stars!!

This lovely book is a tender and sweet work of love. Written for children but also useful for adults who need reminders of how to make some sense of loss. This book is timeless as grief has no expiration and these reminders are useful on a continuing basis.